Spate · Mixed · Dumfries & Galloway, GB-SCT

Annan

View upstream along the River Annan from Hoddom Bridge, the broad tree-lined river channel in Dumfriesshire.
Marginal · Atlantic Salmon
Ally's Shrimp · smaller in warm low water; larger in higher / colder water
Marginallive now
Marginal — persistence required
Low and clear — careful approach country. Hard going on bright water. Favour cloud and shadow.
85% confidence
What moved it
  • Level0.38 mLast reading 4h ago
  • Water temp18.6°C
  • ClarityClear
Today's fly
Ally's Shrimp
Ally's Shrimpsmaller in warm low water; larger in higher / colder water
River-specific pack, filled from the regional salmon default.
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Level
Steady
0.38 m
Last reading 4h ago
Water temp18.6°C
ClarityClear
Weather18°C
WindW 14 km/h
Pressure1019 hPa
Rain · recent0.2 mm
Rain · ahead7.0 mm

The nearest gauge doesn't record temperatures, so we've estimated it — defer to the river keeper's advice.

Water temperature for Atlantic Salmon
Warm — slow
19°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Atlantic Salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Water at 18.6°C — above the atlantic salmon caution line (18°C). Fish dawn or dusk only. Land it fast, wet hands, no air shots.
Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 6pm

Hatch predictions

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Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence

Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.

Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Atlantic Salmon fly box
Beats · 3

The Annan is the best mixed-species river in the south-west and should be read as a four-lane river, not a salmon beat. It is open 52 weeks of the year, and the right answer depends on the season: spring brown trout, summer sea trout, autumn salmon, winter grayling. Trout and grayling are first-class here, not filler — the river is well known for large fish of both, with no grayling close season (but avoid targeting them during the April–May spawning). Access is unusually practical: most beats sell a salmon/sea-trout permit that also covers trout and grayling, with FishPal, association and estate routes. Scotland has no rod licence, but you still need the right permit. Confirm seasons and beat rules before fishing.

Newbie BeatDay tickets
The cleanest mixed-species import on the lower Annan toward the Solway — well known for large trout and grayling as well as sea trout and salmon.
Upper Beat / Applegarth & Hoddom watersMembers
The middle-river association and estate water around Hoddom and Applegarth — mixed salmon, sea-trout, trout and grayling fishing with FishPal, association and estate booking routes.
Annan winter graylingMembers
A distinct seasonal lane rather than a place: through the colder months the Annan is one of southern Scotland's better grayling rivers, with strong fish on safe, clearing water.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Water here around 19°C. Nothing cooler within range — carry a thermometer.
Gallery · 6
  1. View upstream along the River Annan from Hoddom Bridge, the broad tree-lined river channel in Dumfriesshire.
    River Annan from Hoddom Bridge
  2. The River Annan flowing through open Annandale countryside southwest of Lockerbie in late-summer low water.
    The River Annan, southwest of Lockerbie
  3. Confluence of the River Annan and the Water of Milk in autumn, the broad meeting of both rivers with Annandale beyond.
    Confluence of River Annan and Water of Milk
  4. The River Annan at Hoddom Bridge, fast clear summer water over gravel with wooded banks.
    River Annan at Hoddom Bridge
  5. The River Annan running past the confluence of the Mein Water, mature trees lining the bank near Hoddom.
    River Annan near the Mein Water
  6. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Moderate
  • Chemical: Unknown
What this classification means

SEPA WFD 2022 — Annan: Moderate status. Corrected 2026-06-18 (was recorded Poor). Source: SEPA WFD 2022 classification (spatialdata.gov.scot / SEPA Aquatic Classification Hub).

SEPA (Scotland) · UKSC010642

The full read · show the working · for Atlantic Salmon · confidence 85%
How the river scores — hydrology factors
Water heightMedium Ideal0.0
Recent riseNone0.0
Falling after liftNot Applicable0.0
Water temperatureCool To Moderate0.0
Time in seasonOpening Period0.0
ClarityClearing0.0
Hydrology base0.0
Legal gate: Unknown Check Local Rules
Can you trust it?
Water temperatureair-to-water estimateestimated
Level / flowon-river gaugeobserved
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon 25 February → 15 November

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026)

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Booking & contacts